Agenda item

The Committee received a report of the Director of Legal and Democratic Services which provided an updated draft work programme for 2024/25 (for copy see file of minutes).

The Overview and Scrutiny Officer highlighted that the work programme had been informed by key documents including: the County Durham Vision; the Council Plan; Cabinet’s Notice of Key Decisions; performance and budgetary control data; various partnership plans and strategies and local priorities. She referred to paragraphs 13 and 14 of the report that looked back at the areas of focus for the Committee during 2023/24 and commented that some areas from the previous work programme had been carried forward for inclusion in the draft 2024/25 work programme providing Members with a further opportunity to consider and monitor progress.

It was explained that to deliver the draft work programme, the Committee would need five scheduled meetings which run from July to March 2025, one Special meeting, three Joint Special meetings with the Environment and Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee, one workshop, two site visits and a briefing report. It was noted that the work programme would have to be delivered in a shorter timescale due to the pre-election period commencing in March for the local elections in May 2025.

Going forward, the Overview and Scrutiny Officer emphasised the need for the work programme to be flexible to accommodate any emerging issues, changes in policy and additional items which may arise throughout the year.

Councillor K Shaw referred to the impact of HMO properties across the County, noting the increase in change of use planning applications coming forward in recent years to provide student accommodation at the detriment of much needed family homes. He was concerned about community cohesion across the County with the growing number of domestic properties being lost in areas that were already under special measures due to deprivation, low property values and anti-social behaviour. He highlighted the increase in applications for social housing with 10,000 applicants currently on waiting lists.

He requested that the Committee undertake a piece of work on HMOs to look at control measures that could be introduced, the numbers within the county and the impact on amenities. He concluded by commenting that HMOs would link in with other housing related topics already identified in the draft work programme for 2024/25.

Councillor R Crute supported Councillor K Shaw’s request as HMOs and housing issues in relation to private sector landlords and the impact of Section 21 no fault eviction notices had become a major issue within the County. He added that part of the role of scrutiny was to amplify the voice of the public and there was a need to respond to concerns that had been expressed across the County. He noted the reduced timescale to deliver the work programme as a result of the pre-election period commencing in March and suggested an informal information session could be included within the work programme, inviting all Overview and Scrutiny Members.

The Principal Overview and Scrutiny Officer advised that there were a number of housing related topics already identified within the future work programme such as the Selected Licensing Scheme and the Supported Housing Improvement Programme. He highlighted the need to be mindful not to blur lines of responsibility with regards to Planning Committees and the regulations in place concerning HMOs. He advised that he would discuss with the Service Grouping to ensure that the HMO element would be included in a future housing focused meeting.

Resolved:

i)       That the topic of HMOs be included within the 2024/25 work programme.

ii)      That the Economy and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Committee work programme for 2024/25 and the flexibility it offers to respond to emerging issues be agreed.